Centrifugal apparatus.



W. L: DQUER & l. H. STEPHENS.

CENTRXFUGAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 050.29.1911.

Patented Dec. '14, 1915.

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PATENT Fli@E..

WILLIAM L. DOIIIER AND HARRY H. STEPHENS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CENTRIFUG-AL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14:, 1915.

Application filed December 29, 1911. Serial No. 668,412.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, WILLIAM L. DOLIER and HARRY H. STEPHENS, citizens of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in

the county of Philadelphia and State of is adapted.

Our invention resides in a centrifugal machine which is adapted to run at high speeds for the separation of solids or semi-solids and the like from sugar solutions, syrups, or other fluids, or for any centrifugal separation or clarification, and includes the case where the material or materials to be separated from the body of the' liquid or fluid is only of relatively slightlydiflerent specific gravity, or is finely divided and in suspension in the fluid or liquid. To these ends we provide centrifugal apparatus of the character hereinafter described, in which the centrifugal rotating drum may take an elongated or tubular form.

Our invention resides also in centrifugal apparatus in which there rotates with the centrifugal drum an impeller or other pump element for delivering the raw fluid or liguor into the drum.

Our invention resides also in the combination ,with a centrifugal drum of a filter compartment outside of the drum and rotatable with it and removable therefrom.

A further feature of our invention is the provision of means whereby when the drum comes to rest it is self-draining.

A further feature of our invention is the provision of ribs or rings, preferably upon the inner wall of the fluid passage, for 001- lecting flocculent or floating material.

Our invention resides in the features above referred to and in other features hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of one of the forms our invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a combined vertical elevational and vertical sectional view of one form of apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line AA of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on the line CC of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the hanger member 1 may be secured to or supported by any suitable fixed support, and by way of illustration is here shown as supported upon the inclosing casing 2 which has the pedestal 3 by which it is secured upon the floor whose upper surface is represented by the line 1. Between the masses or blocks 5 of rubber or other suitable resilient material are disposed the flanges 6 and 7. The flange 6 is upon the vibratory or gyratory sleeve member 8 within which are disposed the lateral and vertical ball bearings 9 and 10 respectively. The lateral ball bearing 9 forms a lateral anti-friction bearing for the sleeve 11 secured upon the rotatable shaft 12, and the vertical ball bearing 10 cooperates with the sleeve 11 to take the vertical thrust or weight of the shaft 12 and all attached parts rotating therewith. The flange 7 is upon the second sleeve member 13 within which is the lateral ball bearing 14 taking lateral pressures exerted by the shaft 12 through the member 15. The shaft 12 and all attached parts vibrate or gyrate in operation, as well understood in this art, and the rubber buffers 5, 5, yieldingly oppose such vibration or gyration. Secured upon and gyrating 0r vibrating with the sleeve member 8 is the outer casing 16 of a steam turbine whose rotor element 17 is secured upon the upper end of the shaft 12, which terminates within the casing 16. While a steam turbine is here shown, it is to be understood that any other form of driving means or motor may be employed. At its lower end the shaft 12 has an enlargement 18 to which is bolted or otherwise secured the member 19 forming the upper closure or cover for the centrifugal drum or basket. The ring nut 20 secures to the outer flange of the member 19 the centrifugal drum or basket proper 21, which may be made of a casting of any suitable alloy steel or any other suitable mais the conical outwardly sloping'megi across the joint between these inembers and so operating that as the fluid pressures within the drum increase this gaslget is pressed tighter and tighter. across the joint to automatically provide a tighter and tighter joint. Integral with or secured to the bottom member 23 is the impeller 25 such as used in a centrifugal pump whose suction or receiving opening is at and whose discharge opening is at its periphery 27, suitable vanes 28 being provided as Well understood in the centrifugal pump art. lrom the bottom of the apparatus there extends upwardly into the suction opening 26 a stationary pipe 29' through which the raw fluld or liquor is delivered, under any head desired.

Below the drum or basket-21 is disposed the stationary tank or chamber. 30, having the outlet pipe 31. Surrounding the pipe 29 ber 32 extending well over the tube or ipe 33 through which the pipe 29 freely extends Within the drum 21 is provided thecylindrical wall member 34 whereby there is formed between the member 34 and the drum 21 a vertically extending tubular passage. The space on the inside of the member 34 is idle and unemployed. On the outer surface of the member 34 are disosed the rings or ribs 35 for purposes heremafter referred to. Beneath the lowermost of these ribs or rings 35 is a horizontal ring member 36 dividing the upper and lower parts of the space between the member 34 and the drum- 21 into substantially separate compartments which communicate with each other through the apertures 37, which are preferably near the inner edge of the member 36. Within the space beneath the member 36 are provided a plurality of vertically extending vanes 38. Approximate the upper end of the drum 21 the same is provided with an inturned flange or removable ring 39 between which and the member 34 is an annular opening 40. The upper end of the member 34 engages in the closure or cover 19. Slightly outside of the member 34 is the ring member 41 leaving a passage between the members 34 and 41, the member 41 being secured in and rotating with the member 19. The member 41 extends down into the annular opening 40. From the chamber formed beneath the member 19, outside of the member 41 and above the ring or flange 39, there extend passages 42 through the Wall of the drum 21. These passages communicate with the annular chamber 43 formed between the outer wall of the drum 21 and the member 44. The member 44 is secured to the drum 21 and forms a bottom for the chamber 43. At its upper end the member 44 is inturned to smaller diameter as shown in Fig. 1. The vertical wall 44 has a plurality of perforations 45, Fig. 2, and disposed uponthe inner surface of the vertical wall 44 may be any suitable filter medium. The openings or perforations 45 communicate with the chamber 46 formed by the stationary annular member 47 whose upper end turns in horizontally close to but not touching the member 44. Extending through the casing 2 is a spout 48 communicating with the chamsubstantially the entire length of the drum.

or beyond, while the lower doors 53 aiford access to. the space at-the bottom of and be neath the drum 21.

The operation of the apparatusis as follows: Upon admission of steam to the steam turbine,.as' through a flexible hose, the rotor 17 begins to rotate and comes up to speed driving the shaft 12, the member 19, the drum 21, and the attached parts, as the member 34, and the impeller 25, etc. The raw liquor or fluid is delivered upwardly through the stationary pipe 29 into the suc tion orifice 26, impeller 25, and this impeller rotating with the drum 21 at high speed delivers the raw liquor by centrifugal pump action into the space between the lower ends of the member 34 and drum 21 in which are located the vanes 38 which rotate with the drum 21 and in which the heavier solids are collected in the mud drum. This liquor is prevented from eddying and is rotated with the drum by the vanes 38. The liquor then passes upwardly through the perforations 37 into the space above the ring member 36, and by centrifugal action the remaining heavier materials within the raw liquor pass toward the outer diameters of the drum '21 while the lighter materials find their place near the outer walls of the member 34. The liquor while under centrifugal action passes upwardly above the dividing member 36. And the light floating or flocculent material is to a greater or less extent accumulated upon the rings or ribs 35. The clarified liquor passes out through the opening or passage 40 and thence outwardly through the perforations or orifices 42 into the chamber 43, and the centrifugal forces still act-v ing upon the liquor it is thrown against the filter medium on the inner wall of the member 44, the clarified liquor passing out through the perforations 45 in the wall of.

the rotating member 44 into the chamber 46 from which it is delivered through the spout 48. Any lighter material, as fiocculent material not gathered upon the rings or ribs 35, passes up through the space between the members ll and 34 to the orifices 49 and by centrifugal action is thrown outwardly over the edges of the member 19 and the nut 20 into the chamber 50 from which it flows out through the spout 52.

If the raw liquor delivered through the pipe 29 arrives in too great a quantity any overload will pass over the upper edge of the pipe 29 and drop down upon the shed or member 32, thence into the chamber 30 and out through the pipe or spout 31 to be later reintroduced into the pipe 29. liquorwhich fails to be delivered from the outer edge of the impeller 25 into the space at the lower end of the drum 21 through the clearance space between them, will also fall into the chamber 30 and pass out by pipe 31 to be later reintroduced into the machine.

When the machine is brought to rest, the liquor within the drum falls by gravity downwardly through the passages 37 into the lower end of the drum 21 and thence out through the clearance space outside of the impeller 25, and part through the impeller, and into the chamber 30, and possibly some small amount out through the pipe 29. It, therefore, appears that the construction of our apparatus is such that when it is brought to rest it automatically drains or empties itself of the raw liquor by gravity. After having been so drained, the materials separated from the raw liquor are removed from within the drum 21 and from the rings or ribs 35.

The interior of the drum may be washed out by hot water or other suitable medium by introduction through the pipe 29 as hereinbefore described and drainage through pipe 31 upon stopping of the drum.

To regulate the amount of flow of liquor through the apparatus, the inner diameter of the ring 39 may be made greater or less according to circumstances and the nature of the liquor to be treated. A similar ring 39 in the bottom member 23 is also provided for assisting in the regulation of flow, and may be made of greater or less diameter according to circumstances and the nature of the liquor to be treated.

\Vhat we claim is:

1.. In combination, a rotating drum, :1 pump element secured in fixed relation with and rotating with said drum fordelivering liquor thereto through the bottom thereof, said drum having an overflow aperture in its bottom independent of said pumpelement.

.2. In combination, a rotating drum, a

And any same speed with said drum for delivering liquor through the bottom of said drum, said drum having an overflow passage in its bottom, and a ring determining the position of theliquor wall in said'drum with respect to said passage. 5 i

.3. In combination, a drum rotating about a vertical axis, an aperture in the bottom of said drum for reception ofliquor, a stationary pipe extending freely into said aper said drum for rece )tion of li nor a stationary pipe extending freely into said aperture for delivering liquor thereto, a member within said drum forming therewith a longitudinal liquor passage, a liquor discharge approximate the upper end of said passage, and a liquor passage from said aperture to said first named passage, and a ring at the bottom of said drum determining the position of the liquor wall in said drum.

5. In combination, a drum rotating about a vertical axis, a member within said drum forming therewith a longitudinal liquor passage, and means for delivering liquor into said passage through the bottom of said drum, the bottom of said drum having an aperture permanently open, whereby upon stoppage of said drum the liquor therein automatically drains from said passage, and a ring determining the opening of said aperture.

6. In combination, a' drum rotating about a vertical axis, the bottom of said drum having an overflow aperture, means for introducing liquor into said drum through said bottom, and a' ring determining the opening of said aperture.

7. In combination, a drum rotating about a vertical axis, a member within said drum forming therewith a longitudinal liquor passage, the bottom of said drum having an overflow aperture communicating with said passage, means for introducing liquor into said passage through said bottom, and a ring determining the opening of said ap erture.

8. In combination, a. rotating drum, a member within said drum between which and said drum is formed a longitudinally extending liquor passage, and a rotary im peller extending across the bottom of said member and permanently secured to said drum.

9. In combination, a rotating drum, a member within said drum between. which and said drum is formed a longitudinal liquor passage, a member secured to the bottom of said drum and forming the bottom of said liquor passage, and a rotary impeller secured to said last named member.

10. In combination, a rotating drum, a cylinder within the same and separated from said drum to form a longitudinal passage through said drum for liquor, and a. plurality of plates all closed upon the outer surface of said cylinder disposed at difi'erentpoints longitudinally of said drum and extending only partially across said passage, and discharge orifices at dilferent distances from the axis of said drum at one end of said passage, the bottom of s'aiddrum having a permanently open aperture, and a ring determining the opening of said aperture.

11'. In ccmbination, a rotating drum, a member within the same between which and said drum is formed a longitudinal passage, discharge orifices at one end of said passage,

and a second member disposed outside of saidfirst member at one end of said passage and separating said orifices.

12. In combination, a rotating drum, a centrifugal pump element stationary .with

I respect to said drum and rotating therewith,

means for delivering liquor to said pump element, said pump element delivering said liquor into said drum, and means independent of said pump element permitting overflow of liquor.

13. In combination, a rotating drum, a member within the same between which and said drum is formed a. longitudinally extendin passage, vanes in the receiving end of sai assage, liquor feeding means, and an over ow orifice, and means below said vanes at said orifice determining the opening of said orifice.

14. In combination, a rotating drum, a member within the same between which and said drum is formed a longitudinally extending passage, vanes in the receiving end of said passage, a plurality of projections at different points longitudinally of said drum and extending from said inner member partially across said passage, liquor feeding means, and an overflow orifice, and means below said vanes at said orifice determining the opening of said orifice.

15. In combination, a rotatin drum, a member within said drum an between which and said drum is formed a liquor passage, means for feeding liquor in at one end of said passage, means extending from said drum partially across said liquor'passage to form a discharge aperture at the other end of said passage,and a member extending into said aperture to divide said aperture into different discharge orifices.

16. In combination, a rotating drum, 2. member within said drum and between which and said drum is formed a liquor passage, means for feeding liquor in at one end of said passage, a discharge aperture at the other end of said passage, a member extending into said aperture to divide said aperture into difierent discharge orifices, and rings at the receiving and discharge ends of said passage for determining walls of the liquor in said drum.

17. In combination, a rotating drum, a member within said drum between which and said drum is formed a longitudinally extending passage, rings at both ends of said passage for determining the walls of the liquor passed therethrough, a permanently open aperture in the bottom of said drum, one of said rings located at said aperture.

18. In combination, va rotating drum, a centrifugal impeller rotatable with said drum at the bottom thereof, a'liquor conductor extending freely into the suction orifice of said impeller, an overflow aperture independent ofsaid suction orifice, and a ring determining the point of the overflow through said, aperture. 1

19. The combination with a rotary drum, of a rotary ump element at the bottom thereof rotating therewith, the bottom of said drum having an aperture extending around said pump element and independently thereof, said pump element delivering In testimony whereof we have hereunto aflixed our signatures at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 28th day of December, 1911, in the presence of the two subscribing wit- WILLIAM L. DOLIER. HARRY H. STEPHENS. Witnesses:

ANNA E. STEINBOCK, GREENLEAF Wnrrrmn ,PICKARD.

copies 0! this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Oommissianer of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

